Dean Reinke (left) and Jeff Hoffman, both of Hurckman Mechanical, work on a ventilation system Thursday at the Outagamie County Administration Building in Appleton. / Jim Collar/Post-Crescent Media

Written by

Jim Collar

Post-Crescent Media

APPLETON — There’s never a good time for a big repair bill, but Outagamie County officials say the ongoing renovation project at the administration building couldn’t have come under a better set of circumstances for taxpayers.

“We’ve definitely benefited from the timing,” said County Executive Tom Nelson, who added that taxpayers are getting the biggest bang for the buck. “It’s a very competitive market, we received some very competitive bids and we’re very pleased with the work so far.”

Construction crews are about two-thirds of the way through the renovation project at the building commonly referred to as Appleton’s old courthouse. It’s a solid structure — described as a “bomb shelter” by a worker on site — that hasn’t lost much, if any, of its stately appearance inside or out.

Behind the scenes and within its aging walls, the building — which opened in 1942 — was showing its age. Crews of up to 100 workers daily have addressed a variety of problems, including broken, rusted and mineral-lined piping, and outdated heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems.

“This is a lot more energy-efficient than the boilers used to have,” Wittman said.

The project is on schedule, despite the discovery of additional problems with the building’s infrastructure. It is on pace to come in below the budgeted $7.4 million.

Miron Construction Co. Inc. won a $5.1 million contract for the renovation. McMahon Associates did the design work for $344,500, and Balestrieri Environmental and Development in Elkhorn received a $154,210 contract for asbestos abatement.

In February, county officials received more good news. They accepted a bid for $70,000 less than they had budgeted to upgrade the county boardroom. The work will include wireless audio and restore the area to bring back its original, early 1940s luster.

When completed, the entire building should operate more efficiently.

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“We used this as an opportunity to address several space needs challenges that weren’t part of the original plan,” Nelson said.

The Register in Probate Office will move from the justice center to the administration building and increase its space by a third. The move will allow the District Attorney’s Office to increase its space. The coroner’s office will move into space adjacent to the register of deeds because of the frequent contact between the departments.

When the renovation is complete at the end of May, the building will have an updated voice data system, a security system and handicap-accessible restrooms. County departments that relocated to City Center East during the project will return to the building in June.

Mark Voight, project superintendent for Miron Construction, credited county officials for investing in the structure instead of building anew.

“The county has a lot to be proud of here,” he said. “A lot of pride and heritage.”

Wittman said renovating the building made sense because it is still large enough to meet the county’s needs. It wouldn’t be possible to construct a new facility with the character of the old courthouse at the price the county is paying for the renovation, he said.

“This building will be good for another 50 to 70 years,” Wittmann said.